Yellow 5 & 6

Yellow 5 (also known as Tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (also known as Sunset Yellow FCF) are synthetic food dyes. They are made from petroleum and are used to give foods a yellow or orange color.

Manufacturers add these dyes to make foods more visually appealing or to restore color lost during processing. They are commonly found in candies, snacks, baked goods, beverages, and cereals.

Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are approved color additives by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. Both dyes have been evaluated by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), which has set acceptable daily intakes. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also evaluated these dyes. Some studies have suggested a link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in some children, but evidence is mixed and further research is ongoing.